TRAVELLERS were moved on after setting up camp on land at Southport Business Park.

Around eight travellers arrived at the park, home to firms including Paymentshield, Barnetts Solicitors and Royal Mail, on Wednesday.

They defied security guards to enter the site in the early hours of the morning but moved on later that day.

Workers arriving at the Wight Moss Way park spoke of their surprise at seeing the camp.

Emma Plaistow, 24, works for Barnetts.

She said: “We arrived at work on Wednesday morning and the travellers were there.

““There were about half a dozen caravans and they had plugged into all the electrics. Some of the children were outside playing.

“It was a bit surreal, really. Everyone was quite startled. It’s not a usual sight at the business park.”

Philip Lavery, who works at Paymentshield, said the travellers did not cause any damage or inconvenience.

He said: “The police arrived and they moved on eventually.

“There was no trouble, it was just rather unusual to see a residential campsite in the middle of the business park.”

The settlement comes as Sefton Council pushes through a new unauthorised encampment policy to take appropriate action when travellers appear without consent.

Written notices will be served on travellers when there are illegal incursions.

They could be forcibly moved on if they do not leave by an mutually agreed date.

Council strategy manager Neil Davies said in the report: “The prime aim of the policy is to manage unauthorised encampments ina supportive, effective and efficient way, addressing the support needs and rights of gypsies and travellers and balancing these with the rights of the settled community.”